Clamp for holding vehicle dash-frames



(No Model.)

F. C. AYER.

I OLAMP FOR HOLDING VEHICLE DASH FRAMES. No. 259,351.

Patented June 13, 1882'.

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arnwr FRANK O. AYEE, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

CLAMP FOR HOLDING VEHICLE DASH-FRAMES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 259,351, dated June 13, 1882.

I Application filed November 15, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK G. AYER, a citizen of the United States, residingatGolumbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Clamps for Holding Vehicle Dash-Frames and their Gross-Bars in Fastening the Same together, of which the following is aspecification.

In the manufacture of iron frames for vehicledashes the cross-bars are set by hand, by gage or rule, in position to be secured, and this necessarily increases the cost of producing the frame. I have produced a machine for holding the cross-bars and setting and holding the frame in proper relation thereto in the operation of securing the cross-bars.

The accompanying drawings represent such a machine, in which Figure l is a view in perspective, showing the dash-frame in position to be set in relation to the center cross-bar, which has a fixed relation to the table. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the machine; and Fig.3, a view in perspective, on an enlarged scale, showing the gearing for operating the framesetting device.

A suitable table or work-bench, a, supports the dash-frame b and its setting and holding appliances. Itis preferably of metal to give the required strength and durability, and has formed at each end a longitudinal slot, 0 0, preferably on each side of a middle longitudinal line, and of a length sufficient to be crossed by the end bars of the shortest dash-frame, as shown in Fig. 1. In parallel relation to the said slots, and in position to be inside of dashframes having the least width, holes dare drilled in the table, into which pins 0 e are placed to form holes for the cross-bar f or bars of the dash-frame. The cross-bar is shown as being placed in the center; but there maybe one near each end of the frame; but the holes d are so disposed that the pins 6 can be adjusted to suit the desired positions of the cross-bars, and it will be understood that the function of said pins is to hold the cross-bars in fixed relation to the table.

The deviceforsettin gthe dash-frame in proper relation to the cross-bars consists primarily of arms 9 g, one carried at each end of the frame and adapted to be moved equally in the said slots 0 0 against the end bars of the dash-frame in such manner as to move it upon the table,

formed each with a right angle or horizontal extension, 9, standing in opposite directions crosswise of the table and just clearing its surface, so that while moving the dash-frame to set it these extensions serve to keep it in parallel relation to the table and to give afirm clamping action upon the dash-frame to hold it true while fastening the cross bar or bars, as shown in Fig. 1. This setting and holding of the dashframe will of course properly place the end cross-bars for being fastened. As shown, the setting. and clamping bars are carried by racks h h, arranged parallel to each other and fitted to have a sliding movementinwaysiasecured to the under side of the table, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. These racks are operated by gears j j, carried by shafts 7s is, suitably mounted in hearings or hangers Z Z, placed crosswise of the frame, parallel to each other, and geared by gear at in to give the racks equal movement, and their setting-arms equal movement toward and from the middle of the table, so that in placing the frame thereon it will be set exactly symmetrical with the table by being moved by one of said arms. WVhen so set both the arms will at once act with a clamping and holding function in proper relation to the cross-bars held between the pins, so that the clash-frame is bothset and held, and the crossbars are both set and held for being fastened, and when so fastened the holding-arms are released and the dash-frame lifted from the pins.

A hand-wheel, n, on one of the cross-shafts at the side of the table serves to operate the setting and holding arms, While a smaller wheehr, on the shaft of said hand-wheel serves to receive a brake-band, s, attached by one end to the hanger l or to the table and by the other end to a foot bar or treadle, t, resting on the floor, whereby the workman holds the clam ping-arms while fastening the cross-bars. Any suitable brake device may be used for this purpose, and it is obvious that the setting and holding arms may be connected and operated by chains or by cams.

By this machine the work of fastening the crossbars to the dash-frame is conducted in an expeditious manner, and the cost of this branch of the work in the manufacture of vehicle-dashes is lessened.

I claim 1. The work-table having lOIlgitLldlDHl slots and holes disposed in relation to each other, substantially as hereinbeforc set forth, in combination with clamping device operatin gin said slots at each end of the table for setting and holding the dash-frame thereon, holders inserted in said holes for setting and holding the cross-bars of said dash-frame in fixed relation to the table, and carrying-slides for operating the setting and holding device upon the dashi'rame to center itin relation to the cross-bars, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of the work-table having longitudinal slots and holes disposed in relation to each other, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with arms operating in said slots for setting and holding the dash-frame upon said table, pins fixed in said holes for setting and holding the cross-bars of said dashframe in fixed relation to the table, carriers for operating the setting andholdin g arms against the ends of the dash-frame to center itin relation to the cross-bars, and means, substantially as described, for holding said arms in clamping action upon the dash-frame when so centered, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

8. In combination, the table (I, having the longitudinal slots 0 0 and holes (Z, the setting and holding right-angled arms 9 g, their carrying-racks h, the cross-shafts 70 it, having gear jj, engaging with said racks, and gears m m to give equal rotation tosaid shafts, the handwheel a, a brake device for the shaft of said hand-wheel, and the setting and holding pins 6 0, these several parts being constructed and arranged for use in setting and holding vehicle dash-frames and their cross-bars in the operation of fastening the same together, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK G. AYER.

Witnesses:

T. M. LIVESAY, G130. L. ARTZ. 

